Most people picture the beloved honeybee when they think about bees, but North America has 4,000 species of native bees, many of which are busy right now.

“Throughout spring and summer, these insects dutifully pollinate crops and wildflowers, playing a vital role in fostering healthy ecosystems,” says Clay Bolt, manager of Pollinator Conservation and Great Plains communications, World Wildlife Fund.

According to Bolt, native bee species exhibit a wide range of variations in their appearance, behaviors, feeding habits, and habitats. They can be striped, metallic, fuzzy, thin, and rotund, in a spectrum of colors. Different bee species fly at various times — early morning, daytime, or night. Many emerge seasonally in spring or summer, while others remain hidden underground for years, awaiting summer monsoons. Bees inhabit diverse environments, from cold mountain peaks to beaches. Generalist species visit a wide range of flower types, while specialists pollinate only specific types of flowers. Unlike bumble bees and other hive-dwelling bee species, over 70% of the world’s bee species are solitary, hardworking moms who quietly nest in overlooked places like decomposing logs and alongside garden paths.

If you’ve ever wondered, “What is a bee?” you might be surprised to learn that they are vegetarian wasps. However, unlike their wasp relatives, which often feed their young protein from paralyzed insects or the hamburger they might snatch from your picnic table, most bees provide their offspring with protein made from pollen combined with nectar. The mother bee packs these materials into a pellet, places it inside her nest cavity, lays a single egg on top, and then seals the chamber where the young bee will develop completely without maternal help.

How can you help bees? Sadly, bees face threats to their survival, but there are steps you can take to protect them. Bees need healthy, pesticide-free foods throughout their lives. This is one of the greatest gifts you can give these pollinators, especially since parks and gardens often feature flowers that bloom only during peak summer. By planting a variety of plants that flower from early spring through autumn, the number of native bees and other pollinators visiting your garden will increase exponentially.

“Through small acts of kindness, you can transform the lives of these remarkable creatures while filling your heart with profound hope and wonder as you witness their delicate yet ongoing care of our shared world,” says Bolt. The recent celebration of World Bee Day also marked the launch of the World Wildlife Fund’s new “Stories of Hope and Wonder,” an ongoing series that connects people to the beauty of nature and offers hope for a future that benefits both humans and wildlife. Each month, “Stories of Hope and Wonder” will feature a different species overcoming some of nature’s toughest challenges to survive. To access these stories, visit www.worldwildlife.org/hopeandwonder.

Bees are industrious creatures that are essential to vital food systems and healthy ecosystems. While bees are at risk, individuals can make all the difference in their own backyards.